Conference Summary: Artificial Intelligence Between Reality and Hope and Its Legal Applications
After reviewing the list of recommendations, the high organizing committee concluded the proceedings of the "Artificial Intelligence: Between Reality, Hope, and Legal Applications" conference, which took place from February 10th to 12th, 2024. Here is a summary of the conference proceedings and the key recommendations.
The conference began with the recitation of a verse from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcoming speech from the Chairman of the High Organizing Committee, Dr. Alaa Husni (from our university). In his speech, he emphasized the importance of scientific contributions and the role of academics in the scientific field.
The opening speech was delivered by the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Dr. Mohammed Abdulhamid Al-Shaqldi, who discussed the efforts of the scientific and organizing committees in preparing for the conference. He mentioned that the participating research came from 14 different institutions and 14 countries.
The Vice Rector of Minnesota Islamic University, Dr. Omar Al-Maqrami, delivered a speech on behalf of the university's president, praising the preparations for the conference and highlighting the significance of its theme in the modern technological era. He also emphasized the importance of scientific research and providing a research and technological environment within the university.
The Rector of Tahri Mohammed - Bechar University, Dr. Mjawed Mohammed, delivered his speech, welcoming the attendees and expressing his appreciation for the collaboration with Minnesota Islamic University. He highlighted the importance of the conference's theme and expressed his hopes for valuable outcomes from the participating research.
The opening session concluded with a brief speech by the Vice Rector of Taheri Mohammed - Bashar University, Dr. Sa'eedi Abdelkarim, who thanked the contributors for the successful organization of the conference.
Then the conference director, Dr. Muzahem Tariq Al-Mustafa, from our university, delivered his speech, which addressed the importance of science and scientists and their responsibility throughout the ages towards scientific advancements. He emphasized that this responsibility was the driving force behind the organization of the conference by the two universities to study the issue of artificial intelligence. He affirmed that the West dominates all aspects of this field, including ethical considerations, and described artificial intelligence as a double-edged weapon. He also highlighted the general perspectives of the discussions that would take place during the conference and the expected outcomes. Then he gave the floor to the chairwoman of the organizing and preparatory committee of the conference, Dr. Norhan Salama, from our university, who provided a definition of artificial intelligence and its history, development, importance, and the challenges it faces. Then he gave the floor to the Head of External Relations and International Cooperation at our university, Dr. Hanan Mukhtar, who praised the partnership between the two universities and emphasized the importance of the Arab and Islamic identity in this partnership. She announced the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two universities in various fields. Then the session director, Dr. Al-Shaqldi, thanked the research referees, the organizing committee, the audiovisual rooms, and the media center. The session was concluded with a brief statement from the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the conference, Dr. Alaa Husni, who announced a one-hour break.
After the break, Dr. Alaa Husni opened the second session with an introductory speech, followed by a speech from the chairman of the second scientific committee, Dr. Salah Faraj from our university. In this session, researchers presented their research contributions, with five presentations from five researchers. Each researcher was allotted 20 minutes to present their contribution before the discussion was opened at 5:50 PM. After that, the conclusion of the first day of the conference was announced.
On the second day and its sessions, as well as the first session of the third day, the remaining research contributions were presented, totaling 18 research contributions from 20 researchers. In addition to the five presentations in the second session of the first day, the total number of research contributions reached 23 from 25 researchers. The discussion was opened after each session on the specific research topics, and the first session of the second day was moderated by the chairman of the third scientific committee, Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz Abdelrazzaq (from Al-Azhar University). The second session was moderated by the chairman of the first scientific committee, Dr. Mohamed Shuaib Abdelmaqsoud (from our university). As for the first session of the third day, which included researchers' speeches, it was moderated by the chairman of the fourth scientific committee, Dr. Yasser Tarshani (from Al-Madinah International University in Malaysia).
In the closing session, time was allocated for interventions, with ten interventions from thirteen academics. The discussion was opened after the interventions, and the recommendations were read during the closing event. The recommendations included the following:
Take into consideration the values, restrictions, and legal provisions of Islamic law, and adhere to Islamic ethics when applying artificial intelligence technologies.
Develop legislation and laws that deal with the use of artificial intelligence and regulate them according to Islamic ethics.
Do not rely on artificial intelligence in issuing religious rulings (fatwas), as artificial intelligence is not suitable to be a source of fatwa or to perform the role of a religious jurist.
Intensify efforts and constructive cooperation between Islamic researchers and experts in artificial intelligence, to benefit from research and studies related to artificial intelligence in various fields.
Use artificial intelligence in educational institutions with the aim of achieving quality education and integrating artificial intelligence education at all stages of learning.
Provide financial support and develop technological infrastructure and invest in artificial intelligence tools to develop it in the Arab world.
Support and develop the Arabic language ecosystem for artificial intelligence developers worldwide, with the aim of maximizing the benefits for Arabic speakers.
Support research and studies that deal with the use of technology in improving, understanding, and applying Islamic law.
Organize dialogue sessions and seminars to exchange experiences and ideas between specialists in the fields of artificial intelligence, Islamic law, Arabic language, media, and law.
Encourage collaboration between government and private educational institutions to develop technological applications used in these fields.
Launch competitions and awards to encourage innovators to create technological solutions, which should be innovative in multiple domains.
Publish scientific books and articles that shed light on the latest developments in the use of artificial intelligence in understanding and analyzing laws, improving language usage, and developing the media industry.
Support young people interested in artificial intelligence through scholarships or training opportunities to benefit from the expertise in these fields.
Apply artificial intelligence in various fields to achieve speed in performance, accuracy in execution, and meet the needs of different communities.
Take initiatives to mitigate the potential long-term risks of artificial intelligence harms.
Conduct risk assessments for activities that require the use of artificial intelligence, and maintain the least harmful military capabilities of artificial intelligence to avoid causing harm to a larger number of individuals in this world.
Develop digital diplomacy that respects the sovereignty of states and raises awareness about the risks of digital actions and virtual weapons.
Establish an international organization with a role in reducing the risks of abuses of digital weapon usage.
Define responsibilities in artificial intelligence applications in areas where harm is expected to occur to the parties involved in various applications.
Raise awareness among artificial intelligence users to minimize the damages resulting from misuse, known as cybersecurity.
Consider human rights, especially the right to privacy and the right to retain personal data such as images, when using artificial intelligence.
There should be fair compensation for damages resulting from the negative use of artificial intelligence, and users of artificial intelligence technologies should be trained to achieve the maximum benefit when using them.